The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2015-09-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the reasons were for which each emergency protection order was granted to a local authority in England and Wales in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013, (e) 2014 and (f) January to March 2015.
Caroline Dinenage
This information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what alternative provision his Department is offering to the users of the Epping Chase Surgery, Clacton for access to primary care in response to that surgery’s closure.
Dr Daniel Poulter
The provision of primary medical services is a matter for NHS England.
NHS England’s Essex Area Team advises that, since February 2014, the Epping Close Surgery has been temporarily relocated on Kennedy Way, Clacton, following a serious water leak at its original premises.
To date, there have been no complaints from patients about the relocation, which has enabled the practice to continue to provide healthcare to patients.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to increase the number of practice staff working in GP surgeries in North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group.
Dr Daniel Poulter
There are now 36,294 full-time equivalent general practitioners (GPs) working and training in the National Health Service, an increase of 1,051 (3.0%) since September 2010 and a commitment to train and retain 5,000 additional GPs by 2020.
NHS England is working with the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, and Health Education East Of England to increase the number of practice staff working in GP surgeries across north east Essex.
NHS England is also working with the Royal College of General Practitioners, and the British Medical Association nationally to produce a 10 point action plan to increase the size of the general practice workforce, which this Government has supported with £10 million of funding.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to increase the number of GPs in North East Essex.
Dr Daniel Poulter
There are now 36,294 full-time equivalent general practitioners (GPs) working and training in the National Health Service, an increase of 1,051 (3.0%) since September 2010 and a commitment to train and retain 5,000 additional GPs by 2020.
NHS England has commissioned a project specifically for the Tendring area to review the current local workforce capacity and options to correct any deficiencies in GP workforce capacity.
NHS England, Health Education England (HEE), the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the British Medical Association’s (BMA) GP committee are working together nationally to ensure that we have a skilled, trained and motivated workforce in general practice. In January, NHS England announced a further £10 million investment to expand the general practice workforce.
HEE is also working with NHS England, the BMA and RCGP to standardise a funded scheme which allows GPs to return to United Kingdom general practice following a career break. We expect this to be launched nationally at the end of March 2015. 43 doctors have already completed this scheme.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to ensure that more diagnostic tests are carried out at Clacton Hospital.
Jane Ellison
The provision of local health services is a matter for local National Health Service organisations. NHS North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) advises that Clacton Hospital provides some diagnostic testing for the local population, but the variety of tests that can be effectively provided is limited. More specialised diagnostic tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging or invasive tests such as angiography or endoscopy, have to be carried out at Colchester Hospital. They are not available at Clacton Hospital either because of a lack of physical space for the facilities within the hospital or because it is not clinically appropriate for the tests to be carried out in a community hospital. Clacton Hospital has no clinical theatre space. No emergency medical cover is available should a patient become seriously unwell following an invasive diagnostic test.
The CCG states that demand for diagnostic services is exceptionally high and it is considering how they could be provided within community settings to reduce waiting times. This might include direct access to some tests through general practitioner (GP) referral. This would enable the GP to receive a definitive test result for the patient, before referring on to secondary care where necessary. The CCG believes this would help to reduce waiting times and make access to the service easier for local people.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans his Department has to reduce waiting times for diagnostic tests at Clacton Hospital.
Jane Ellison
The provision of local health services is a matter for local National Health Service organisations. NHS North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) advises that Clacton Hospital provides some diagnostic testing for the local population, but the variety of tests that can be effectively provided is limited. More specialised diagnostic tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging or invasive tests such as angiography or endoscopy, have to be carried out at Colchester Hospital. They are not available at Clacton Hospital either because of a lack of physical space for the facilities within the hospital or because it is not clinically appropriate for the tests to be carried out in a community hospital. Clacton Hospital has no clinical theatre space. No emergency medical cover is available should a patient become seriously unwell following an invasive diagnostic test.
The CCG states that demand for diagnostic services is exceptionally high and it is considering how they could be provided within community settings to reduce waiting times. This might include direct access to some tests through general practitioner (GP) referral. This would enable the GP to receive a definitive test result for the patient, before referring on to secondary care where necessary. The CCG believes this would help to reduce waiting times and make access to the service easier for local people.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make representations to Network Rail and Abellio Greater Anglia on introducing a higher frequency of train services on the line between London Liverpool Street and Clacton, particularly at weekday peak travel times.
Claire Perry
The Hon Member is aware that the Department is currently running a public consultation to help inform how we specify the next East Anglia franchise, which is due to commence in October 2016. All of the responses will be carefully considered before any decisions are taken and we will publish a stakeholder briefing document summarising the views represented to us and the consultation’s conclusions when we issue the invitation to tender for the franchise. The Hon Member is invited to submit his representations to the consultation.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2015-02-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to improve Clacton railway station.
Claire Perry
Any such improvements would be for the station operator to suggest. The Government believes that operators are better placed than central Government to react to the demands of their customers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2015-02-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press notice issued by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine on its website on 9 February 2015, whether the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and Ukrainian governments will entail the UK Government guaranteeing any possible assistance in the pursuit of Ukrainian independence.
Michael Fallon
The Memorandum of Understanding, once signed, will provide a framework for our defence engagement with Ukraine.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2015-09-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department will make representations to the EU on ensuring that local authorities are not unduly influenced to publish material supporting a vote to remain a member of the EU.
Mr David Lidington
Under the terms of the draft Referendum Bill, local authorities will be subject to the same statutory restrictions on what they can publish in the final 28 days of the campaign as other public bodies. Both ministers and officials have discussed the UK referendum with the European Commission. The European Commission has informed us that they view the referendum as a matter for the British people, and do not intend to take part in the campaign.